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Champagne Roland Champion

This small grower is located in the Grand Cru Village of Chouilly, in the 'Côte des Blancs'. The vineyard of Chouilly has a south, southeast sun exposure, which gives the chardonnay its delicate aromas.

Founded in 1929 by André Champion, his son Roland expanded the company by purchasing some new land, and gave his name to the family house of Champagne. François is the third generation of the family and continues in his father's footsteps. He is the enologist and currently runs the company. He farms their 18 hectares (44.5 acres) and blends wines resulting from different parcels and various vintages to elaborate his Cuvées. Carole is now more and more involved with the Family and she represents the fourth generation.

Champion family: Ginette, Francois and their daughter Carole

History

Date Founded: 1929

Owner: Francois Champion

Winery Philosophy: Roland Champion is a true Artisanal Champagne. It is classified as RM (Recoltant Manipulant) meaning they own their own vines, their own press and they do all the vinification by themselves. It is also the absolute condition to be part of the "Special Club" group.

Since the 18th century, the Champion family has been growing grapes from father to son and all the harvest has been sold out to negociants. But since four generations, the family has been producing its own champagne.

The history of the family started with André Champion in 1929, the year when the brand "Champagne André Champion" was merchandised for the first time. Later on the founder will increase considerably his vineyard on the terroir of Chouilly, in the famous Côte des Blancs, on the best soils for the renowned Chardonnay grape.

His early death will propel his elder son Roland, 16-year-old at that time, at the head of the family company. Roland took over the family business with courage and dignity and continued to increase the family's estate. The champagne house is then re-named "Champagne Roland Champion" in 1951.

The descendants of Roland and Jacqueline Champion: François, Vincent and Clara as well as their children Carole, Ambroise, Clémence, Astrid and Félix represent this family inheritance today. François is henceforth the wine maker of the house.

From generations the Champion family has been proud to make you share its passion for champagnes that offer character and prestige to accompany the most memorable moments of your life, just like its founders wished.

Winery/Vineyards

Winery Acreage: 44.46 acres (18 hectares)

Winery Production: 7,000 / 9L cases

Varietals Produced: 10 hectares of Chardonnay in Chouilly
8 hectares of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in the "Vallee de la Marne" sub-region.

Winemaker: François Champion

The property consists of 40 different parcels planted with the following grape types: 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir in the commune of Verneuil.

The grapes are harvested manually, which is the rule in Champagne. Then, the grapes are immediately pressed in-site to avoid oxidation and preserve the quality of the grapes.The wine is aged in their troglodytic cellar made of chalk where the constant temperature is 10\12°C (50/54°F).

Production is 85,000 bottles (7,000 cases) yearly, part of which is sold "sur latte" to negociants. The remaining 35,000 bottles are sold under their own name.

They produce the following wines:NV Brut, Blanc de Blanc: 25% of productionVintage Champagne, Speciale Club Carte Noire: 70% of productionRosé Brut: 5% of production

Before working with Kysela Pere et FIls, 100% of the wines used to be sold to an adoring French clientele. Daughter Carole Champion represents the fourth generation to continue with the property.

Champagne with rich and structured aromas. Very pleasant and generous roundness, nice length in mouth. Golden color with buttery and fruity aromas. All the expression of a magnificent terroir for your most pleasurable moments.

To be a member of this Club, Champagne producers have to elaborate their Cuvées in their own facility, meaning the pressing, bottling, ridding, disgorging, etc., have to be done at the domaine/estate. Then, only the Recoltants-Manipulants are accepted. Everybody has to respect the Club’s rules to ensure the quality. These rules include: * Only vintages * Two tastings to control the quality: the first one after the blending, when the wine is still “Vin Clair” (juice) and another after the 3 years (or more) of ageing “sur lattes”. There are 26 members, each of whom can produce his Special Club with his own techniques: * blending or “monocru” (only one grape variety) * “blanc de blancs” or “blanc de noirs”; ageing from 3 to 10 years, brut or extra-brut. 4 year ageing minimum Strict selection of plots only made out of our old vineyards.

"Produced from old vines in the Grand Cru vineyards of Chouilly in the Côte des Blancs, this is a beautifully crisp, ripe wine, showing taut fruit and fine, stylish acidity. As a Special Club bottling, it adheres to stringent qualitative guidelines set out by an elite group of growers. Still young, it will be best from 2019. - Roger Voss"

"In perfect balance now, this is a great expression of mineral-driven Chardonnay. Its acidity is a vehicule for the crisp flavors of pear and lime, with a hint of ginger. It's still young, so drink it now for its great fruit, or age for four more years."

"Well-knit, with a fine texture and a subtle blend of Gala apple, bread dough, pickled ginger, apricot and meringue. Shows good intensity through to the minerally finish. Drink now through 2022. 500 cases made. –AN"

"Light yellow-gold. Lively, mineral-accented aromas of lemon pith, white flowers and chalk, with a subtle leesy nuance in the background. Racy and precise, offering good cut to its citrus and orchard fruit flavors. A hint of anise comes up with air and carries through the long, stony finish. "